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to any of the clubs or organisers of the events featured. Words and Pictures
by Michael unless attributed otherwise. Michael is a proud member of the MCC,
ACTC, Dellow Register and Falcon amongst others, but does not represent their
views nor the views of any other organisers or clubs.

Dave Wall proved Dellow's can still cut
the mustard, beating Tony Underhill to win the Mechanics Trial on Special
Test Times

With dry
sections the leaders contested the win on the Catswood sections where the
slippery Sapseds Big Surprise proved the deciding hill. Dean Partington
actually cleaned this beast but fell out of contention when he was one of
many to go the wrong way after the restart on Mini Hoskin.

Dave
Wall guns his K Series powered Dellow up the deviation
on Mini Hoskin on his way to winning The Mechanics Trial. (Picture by
Calvin Talbot)

Phil Tucker congratulates Josh Moss as the smoke
clears and he pops his Lypiatt Special over the bank after the restart
of Alf's Delight (Picture by Dave Cook)

Ian Moss raises a wheel of his Imp in
characteristic style as he eases off the Alf's Delight restart. Ian
was the driver in the lower classes to succeed. (Picture by
Dave Cook)

Tony Underhill concentrates as he restarts his Triumph Special on
King Charles Lane. Tony was equal to Dave
Wall on the hills but had to give nest on the Special Tests (Picture
by Dave Cook)

Family affair - Calvin pictures Carl and Ralph on Viaduct.
Carl finished an excellent 2nd in Class and 8th
overall in this very nice Sidevalve Buckler Mk5 (Picture by Calvin
Talbot)

Alf was fearsome not
Delightful!

After all the recent snowy
trials Stoud & DMC had arranged fine weather for The Mechanics as Sam
Holmes led the field away from the well organised start in Stonehouse.
Sam's hopes of another Class 4 win were soon dashed when, like all but one
competitor in the lower classes, he failed the fearsome restart on Alf's
Delight. The one who succeeded was Ian Moss in his Imp, now running on
approved 13 inch wheels. Ian was to continue his form throughout the day,
challenging for the overall lead and eventually finishing third overall.

About half the Class 7 & 8's
managed to get away from the restart. They didn't include Brian Partridge
who had a rear upright break on his Ridge Cannon. Aaron Haizelden retired
soon after, worried about the oil pressure of his Cosworth engined Escort.

Into Catswood

After some delightful
traditional sections the route entered Catswood from the top, where three
observed sections and a Special Test awaited. Sapseds Big Surprise is a
slippery, muddy climb between the trees. Only Dean Partington, in his DP
Wasp, could clean this difficult section. Dave Wall (Dellow Mk1), Tony
Underhill (Triumph Special) and Mike Chatwin (DP Wasp) all came close, but
couldn't quite make it past the one marker. Ian Moss showed his mastery of
the conditions, the only car outside of Class Eight to get a two.

Climbing to the top of Catswood
Mini Hoskin awaited. This had a sting in the tail, a restart followed by
an immediate 90 left up a steep bank. Unfortunately this deviation wasn't
obvious too most of the entry and around 70% went straight on, dropping
four marks in the process. Dean Partington was the big loser here, taking
him out of contention for the overall win.

Greenway Lane

After the traditional sections
at the picturesque King Charles Lane and Bulls Cross the route descended
Greenway Lane to the sections on private land half way down. These didn't
have any significant impact on the results but the news is the main track
has been repaired and hopefully will be back in action as a section soon1.

The Finish

After some extended Green
Laning and another Special Test there was just Bulls Bank and Viaduct to
come. These passed without impacting the results and the last competitor
signed off at Minchinghampton Golf Club before 5pm, where many realised
their mistake by not planning to eat here as the food looked first class.

Congratulations to Dave Wall
for proving a Dellow can still win a one day classic trial. It was a shame
about the confusion on the route at Mini Hoskin. Lets hope it didn't spoil
too many people's enjoyment of another well organised Stroud event.

Class

Driver/Car

Marks

Overall

Dave
Wall (Dellow Mk1)

7

Best
Stroud

Tony
Underhill (Triumph Special)

7

1

Dave
Haizelden (Golf GTi)

17

2

John
Bell (MG TB)

21

3

Mark
Linforth (Ford
Escort)

22

4

Ian Moss (Hillman
Imp)

10

5

Nick
Deacon (Suzuki X90)

23

6

Harry
Butcher (VW Beetle)

21

7

Rick
Neale (Dutton Melos)

14

8

Mike
Wokman (Golden valley Special)

11

Footnote:-

1. A reliable source informs me that the Greenway Lane
track is unlikely to return as a section in the near future.